A new analysis suggests the benefits of medications used to treat attention-deficit hypersensitivity disorder outweigh any potential cardiovascular risks.
Here are four things to know:
- The systematic review, published in The Lancet Psychiatry and led by researchers from University of Southampton in England, evaluated data from 102 randomized controlled trials involving more than 22,000 participants, both children and adults.
- Researchers compared the effects of commonly prescribed ADHD medications, including stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate, along with non-stimulants such as atomoxetine and viloxazine and their impacts on blood pressure and heart rate. Patients had taken the medications over the course of a few weeks or a few months.
- The study found only small average increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse among patients. For example, children taking methylphenidate showed an average systolic blood pressure rise of 1.8 mm Hg while adults saw lowered systolic pressure by about 10 mm Hg.
- Researchers also found that non-stimulant medication guanfacine was linked to a reduction in blood pressure and pulse among both age groups.
